Gannon Students See Increase in Internship Placements

Posted: August 24, 2012

Some 174 Gannon students participated in internships and co-ops through the University’s Center for Experiential Education during the 2010-11 Academic Year, an increase of 23 percent over the year prior.

In addition, nearly half the students, including Landis Erwin (shown above), continued working for their respective agencies and organizations beyond the initial placement period. Erwin began an internship with the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority when she was a sophomore at Gannon. As a senior, she started working part-time at EMTA and was hired for a full-time position, marketing manager, with EMTA upon her graduation in 2012.

On average, students earned more than $16 an hour, which represents an increase of five percent over the year prior.

The data was compiled by the University’s Center for Experiential Education, which helps students secure internships and co-ops as well as field placements and practicums. In addition to positions secured through the Center, hundreds of other Gannon students complete internships, co-ops and similar placements through their academic departments as well as their personal network of contacts.

“The significant increase in the number of students who secured internships and co-ops is very encouraging in light of the continued economic challenges and a national unemployment rate hovering at or above 8 percent,” said Cheryl Rink, assistant director of Gannon’s Center for Experiential Education.

Other findings from the Center’s report:

Seven students secured positions at more than one site.

On average, students worked 15-20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters.

Nearly 20 percent of the placement sites were within the University’s Erie-GAINS neighborhood, the area bordered by Presque Isle Bay to the north, Parade Street to the east, 11th Street to the south and the Bayfront Parkway to the west. Erie-GAINS is Gannon’s comprehensive community development initiative.

Gannon University is a Catholic, Diocesan university offering nearly 100 academic programs, including doctoral programs in physical therapy and organizational learning and leadership. Gannon enrolls more than 4,000 academically talented and diverse students. Learn more about everything the University has to offer here.